June 30, 2015 – National LEAGUE of Postmasters Take Change Environment Head-On at National Convention

PMG Megan Brennan was the lead speaker at the LEAGUE’s National Convention opening session in Washington, D.C., on Monday, June 29, 2015 at the Renaissance Hotel in the heart of our nation’s capital, and she wasted no time in declaring that now is a pivotal time for the Postal Service and the mailing industry.

“Growing Together” was the theme of this year’s Postal Forum and PMG Brennan noted that it drew the largest attendance of any such forum in the last five years. “Mail is being challenged in today’s digital world,” she said, “and how we communicate is rapidly changing.” In this multi-channel marketing environment, the lead topic for us now and at our post office level is marrying digital and print … and a very intensive presentation was made on “Irresistible Mail” by Vickie Stephen, director of mailing services for USPS. Both Brennan and Stephen reflected on the many opportunities ahead for growing revenue and attracting more postal customers to what we do best—delivering the last mile.

Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA)

While Brennan talked of potential closures in facilities and upgrades to equipment to increase capacity at other locations, she also affirmed the need to have predictable two- and three-day service. When staunch postal supporter Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11) spoke later, he noted a move in Congress to declare a moratorium on further infrastructure and personnel adjustments in order to sort out the cost/benefit scenarios driving Postal HQ directives. “Closing distribution centers has to be a transparent process and what has happened is a crisis of confidence in the Postal Service’s decisions,” Connolly said. “In my view,” he said, “tackle a few big issues and don’t get sidetracked by too many wishes … one size fits all does not work … we have to get rid of prepayments and no reform bill is worth its salt if that is not in it. ”

In preparation for LEAGUE members to visit their legislators on the Hill on Tuesday, June 30, Legislative Counsel Bob Brinkmann provided two items on the LEAGUE’s political agenda: Fixing the issue of the prefunding of retiree health benefits and creating a seven-year congressional moratorium on post office closings and reductions in post office status and hours. These same items should be presented in the local representatives’ offices by all LEAGUE members. And, according to Brinkmann, the best time window is now through the end of the year for postal legislation to presented and passed.

NAPS President Louis Atkins talked of “protecting our ability to do our jobs” and to delay plant consolidations at this time. “Our allies in Congress have been asking why there are service cuts and considering the growth of the Postal Service, we shouldn’t be the ones hurt in this process.”

National Membership Chairman Linda Augustosky lauded the recruiting efforts of LEAGUE members and recognized outstanding efforts. National VP Mike Engleman earned the Eagle Award for bringing 51 new members to the LEAGUE just in the past year, and awarded the coveted M.B. Morrison “Blue Jackets” to Engleman of Indiana and Deb Alums of Alabama.

After Tuesday’s Hill visits, the LEAGUE opens the general session on Wednesday with candidate nominations for the National Board as well as presentations by Inspector General David C. Williams and COO and Executive USPS VP David E. Williams. Many operational questions and local post office concerns raised to PMG Brennan during questions from the floor were being referred to David E. Williams for further comment.

via National League of Postmasters